Ohio’s State Tests
ITEM RELEASE
SPRING 2016
GRADE 8ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
i
Table of Contents
Questions 1 – 13: Content Summary and Answer Key……………….……….......……ii
Stimulus for Questions 1 – 7............................................................................................1
Question 1: Question and Scoring Guidelines.............................................................5
Question 1: Sample Response.......................................................................................7
Question 2: Question and Scoring Guidelines.............................................................9
Question 2: Sample Responses...................................................................................13
Question 3: Question and Scoring Guidelines...........................................................17
Question 3: Sample Responses...................................................................................21
Question 4: Question and Scoring Guidelines...........................................................25
Question 4: Sample Response.....................................................................................27
Question 5: Question and Scoring Guidelines...........................................................29
Question 5: Sample Responses...................................................................................31
Question 6: Question and Scoring Guidelines...........................................................37
Question 6: Sample Response.....................................................................................39
Question 7: Question and Scoring Guidelines...........................................................41
Question 7: Sample Responses...................................................................................45
Stimulus for Questions 8 – 13........................................................................................49
Question 8: Question and Scoring Guidelines...........................................................53
Question 8: Sample Response.....................................................................................55
Question 9: Question and Scoring Guidelines...........................................................57
Question 9: Sample Responses...................................................................................59
Question 10: Question and Scoring Guidelines.........................................................63
Question 10: Sample Response...................................................................................65
Question 11: Question and Scoring Guidelines.........................................................67
Question 11: Sample Response...................................................................................69
Question 12: Question and Scoring Guidelines.........................................................71
Question 12: Sample Responses.................................................................................73
Question 13: Question and Scoring Guidelines.........................................................77
Question 13: Sample Response...................................................................................79
ii
Grade 8 ELA
Spring 2016 Item Release
Content Summary and Answer Key
Question
No.
Item
Type
Content
Strand
Content
Standard
Answer
Key Points
1 Multiple
Choice
Craft and
Structure
Determine the meaning of
words and phrases as they are
used in a text, including
figurative and connotative
meanings; analyze the impact
of specific word choices on
meaning and tone, including
analogies or allusions to other
texts.
D 1 point
2
Evidence-
Based
Selected
Response
Craft and
Structure
Determine the meaning of
words and phrases as they are
used in a text, including
figurative and connotative
meanings; analyze the impact
of specific word choices on
meaning and tone, including
analogies or allusions to other
texts.
A; D, F 1 point
3
Evidence-
Based
Selected
Response
Craft and
Structure
Analyze how differences in the
points of view of the characters
and the audience or reader
(e.g., created through the use of
dramatic irony) create such
effects as suspense or humor.
B; D 1 point
4 Multiple
Choice
Key Ideas
and Details
Analyze how particular lines of
dialogue or incidents in a story or
drama propel the action, reveal
aspects of a character, or
provoke a decision.
B 1 point
5 Hot Text
Item
Key Ideas
and Details
Cite the textual evidence that
most strongly supports an
analysis of what the text says
explicitly as well as inferences
drawn from the text.
--- 1 point
iii
Grade 8 ELA
Spring 2016 Item Release
Content Summary and Answer Key
Question
No.
Item
Type
Content
Strand
Content
Standard
Answer
Key Points
6 Multiple
Choice
Craft and
Structure
Analyze how differences in the
points of view of the characters
and the audience or reader
(e.g., created through the use of
dramatic irony) create such
effects as suspense or humor.
D 1 point
7
Evidence-
Based
Selected
Response
Key Ideas
and Details
Determine a theme or central
idea of a text and analyze its
development over the course of
the text, including its relationship
to the characters, setting, and
plot; provide an objective
summary of the text.
B; D 1 point
8 Multiple
Choice
Key Ideas
and Details
Analyze how a text makes
connections among and
distinctions between individuals,
ideas, or events (e.g., through
comparisons, analogies, or
categories).
A 1 point
9 Hot Text
Item
Craft and
Structure
Determine the meaning of
words and phrases as they are
used in a text, including
figurative, connotative, and
technical meanings; analyze the
impact of specific word choices
on meaning and tone, including
analogies or allusions to other
texts.
--- 1 point
10 Multiple
Choice
Craft and
Structure
Determine an author’s point of
view or purpose in a text and
analyze how the author
acknowledges and responds to
conflicting evidence or
viewpoints.
A 1 point
iv
Grade 8 ELA
Spring 2016 Item Release
Content Summary and Answer Key
Question
No.
Item
Type
Content
Strand
Content
Standard
Answer
Key Points
11 Multiple
Choice
Craft and
Structure
Determine an author’s point of
view or purpose in a text and
analyze how the author
acknowledges and responds to
conflicting evidence or
viewpoints.
D 1 point
12 Hot Text
Item
Integration
of
Knowledge
and Ideas
Delineate and evaluate the
argument and specific claims in
a text, assessing whether the
reasoning is sound and the
evidence is relevant and
sufficient; recognize when
irrelevant evidence is
introduced.
--- 1 point
13 Multiple
Choice
Key Ideas
and Details
Cite the textual evidence that
most strongly supports an
analysis of what the text says
explicitly as well as inferences
drawn from the text.
B 1 point
1
Grade 8
English Language Arts
Spring 2016 Item Release
Stimulus for Questions 1 – 7
2
Stimulus for Questions 1 – 7
3
1245
5
Grade 8
English Language Arts
Spring 2016 Item Release
Question 1
Question and Scoring Guidelines
6
Question 1
25011
Scoring Guidelines
Rationale for Option A: This is incorrect. The other nymphs do not react out of
guilty feelings.
Rationale for Option B: This is incorrect. There is no evidence in the passage to
suggest strange behavior by the others.
Rationale for Option C: This is incorrect. The word "stole" is used figuratively and
not literally.
Rationale for Option D: Key – The others “stole away” to secretly avoid Hera.
Points Possible: 1
Content Strand: Craft and Structure
Content Standard: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as
they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative
meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning
and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
7
Sample Response: 1 point
9
Grade 8
English Language Arts
Spring 2016 Item Release
Question 2
Question and Scoring Guidelines
10
Question 2
25038
Points Possible: 1
Content Strand: Craft and Structure
Content Standard: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as
they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative
meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning
and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
11
Scoring Guidelines
Part A
Rationale for Option A: Key – Rapture is a state of happiness or pleasure.
Rationale for Option B: This is incorrect. When Echo answers in rapture, she
probably answers quickly because of the excitement. This also is not the
correct meaning of the phrase.
Rationale for Option C: This is incorrect. To be in rapture does not mean to
have confusion.
Rationale for Option D: This is incorrect. When Echo answers in rapture, she
does it loudly enough for Narcissus to hear her from the trees, so it is not at a
low volume. This also is not the correct meaning of the phrase.
Part B
Rationale for First Option: This is incorrect. Echo is responding to Narcissus, but
this phrase does not indicate her emotion.
Rationale for Second Option: This is incorrect. The fact that Echo is not in the
view of Narcissus does not indicate that she is in rapture.
Rationale for Third Option: This is incorrect. The fact that Echo is not in the view
of Narcissus does not indicate that she is in rapture.
Rationale for Fourth Option: Key – Echo responds to Narcissus joyfully, just
shortly after responding in rapture.
Rationale for Fifth Option: This is incorrect. The fact that Echo is in the woods
does not show that she is in rapture.
Rationale for Sixth Option: Key – Echo’s outstretched arms are a sign of her
joyful emotion toward Narcissus.
13
Grade 8
English Language Arts
Spring 2016 Item Release
Question 2
Sample Responses
14
Sample Response: 1 point
Notes on Scoring
This response earns full credit (1 point) because it correctly
identifies the correct meaning of the phrase “in rapture” in
Part A, and it correctly identifies the two phrases from the text
that best support the answer from Part A in Part B.
15
Sample Response: 0 points
Notes on Scoring
This response earns no credit (0 points). While the correct
answer is chosen to identify the correct meaning of the
phrase “in rapture” in Part A, the phrases chosen in Part B do
not offer full support for the answer in Part A. In order to earn
full credit for this item, both Part A and Part B must be correct.
16
Sample Response: 0 points
Notes on Scoring
This response earns no credit (0 points). The selected answer
in Part A incorrectly identifies the meaning of the phrase “in
rapture”. Part B provides the correct supports for the incorrect
answer in Part A; however, in order to receive full credit for
this item, both Part A and Part B must be correct.
17
Grade 8
English Language Arts
Spring 2016 Item Release
Question 3
Question and Scoring Guidelines
18
Question 3
25040
Points Possible: 1
Content Strand: Craft and Structure
Content Standard: Analyze how differences in the points of view of
the characters and the audience or reader (e.g., created through
the use of dramatic irony) create such effects as suspense or humor.
19
Scoring Guidelines
Part A
Rationale for Option A: This is incorrect. The reader knows that Echo likes
Narcissus’s looks.
Rationale for Option B: Key – The reader knows that Echo adores Narcissus but
cannot speak her emotions because of the curse Hera put on her.
Rationale for Option C: This is incorrect. The reader knows of Echo’s curse, but
Narcissus does not.
Rationale for Option D: This is incorrect. There is no indication that Narcissus
does not know that Echo is a nymph.
Part B
Rationale for Option A: This is incorrect. Narcissus’s love of himself may be
somewhat humorous, but the difference in point of view does not establish
that tone.
Rationale for Option B: This is incorrect. Echo’s situation is hopeless, so it is not
inspiring.
Rationale for Option C: This is incorrect. The passage does not convey an
angry tone.
Rationale for Option D: Key – The reader knows that Echo wants to speak to
Narcissus and also knows that it will not happen.
21
Grade 8
English Language Arts
Spring 2016 Item Release
Question 3
Sample Responses
22
Sample Response: 1 point
Notes on Scoring
This response earns full credit (1 point) because it accurately
identifies the difference in points of view between the reader
and the character (Narcissus) in Part A, and it selects the
accurate choice that shows how that perspective impacts
the tone of the passage in Part B.
23
Sample Response: 0 points
Notes on Scoring
This response earns no credit (0 points). The answer selected
in Part A does not accurately identify the difference in points
of view between the reader and the character (Narcissus).
While Part B provides the correct response that shows how
that perspective impacts the tone of the passage, the
student did not select the correct answer in Part A. In order to
receive full credit for this item, both Part A and Part B must be
correct.
24
Sample Response: 0 points
Notes on Scoring
This response earns no credit (0 points). While the answer
selected in Part A accurately identifies the difference in
points of view between the reader and the character
(Narcissus), the answer selected in Part B does not accurately
identify how those differences impact the tone of the
passage. In order to receive full credit for this item, both
Part A and Part B must be correct.
25
Grade 8
English Language Arts
Spring 2016 Item Release
Question 4
Question and Scoring Guidelines
26
Question 4
25009
Scoring Guidelines
Rationale for Option A: This is incorrect. The passage states that Hera is curious
about Zeus, not upset with him.
Rationale for Option B: Key – Echo's punishment shows Hera’s usual injustice
and makes yet another unhappy girl.
Rationale for Option C: This is incorrect. Echo is a favorite of Artemis, but that is
not the reason that Hera punishes Echo.
Rationale for Option D: This is incorrect. Hera’s punishment for Echo implies that
Hera is not friendly with nymphs.
Points Possible: 1
Content Strand: Key Ideas and Details
Content Standard: Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or
incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a
character, or provoke a decision.
27
Sample Response: 1 point
29
Grade 8
English Language Arts
Spring 2016 Item Release
Question 5
Question and Scoring Guidelines
30
Question 5
25010
Scoring Guidelines
For this item, a full-credit response includes:
Selection of “But at last one of those he wounded prayed a prayer and it
was answered by the gods: ‘May he who loves not others love himself.’;
OR
Selection of “The great goddess Nemesis, which means righteous anger,
undertook to bring this about.” (1 point).
Points Possible: 1
Content Strand: Key Ideas and Details
Content Standard: Cite the textual evidence that most strongly
supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as
inferences drawn from the text.
31
Grade 8
English Language Arts
Spring 2016 Item Release
Question 5
Sample Responses
32
Sample Response: 1 point
Notes on Scoring
This response earns full credit (1 point) because the sentence
selected accurately explains what causes Narcissus to
become obsessed with looking at himself.
33
Sample Response: 1 point
Notes on Scoring
This response earns full credit (1 point) because the sentence
selected accurately explains what causes Narcissus to
become obsessed with looking at himself.
34
Sample Response: 0 points
Notes on Scoring
This response earns no credit (0 points) because the selected
sentence does not accurately explain what causes Narcissus
to become obsessed with looking at himself.
35
Sample Response: 0 points
Notes on Scoring
This response earns no credit (0 points) because the selected
sentence does not accurately explain what causes Narcissus
to become obsessed with looking at himself.
37
Grade 8
English Language Arts
Spring 2016 Item Release
Question 6
Question and Scoring Guidelines
38
Question 6
25012
Scoring Guidelines
Rationale for Option A: This is incorrect. The Oreads knew that the pool is
aware of Narcissus’s death.
Rationale for Option B: This is incorrect. There is no indication that the Oreads
think that Narcissus’s tears filled the pool.
Rationale for Option C: This is incorrect. The pool does know Narcissus and
misses him because he enabled the pool to view itself.
Rationale for Option D: Key – The main reason the pool is sad to lose Narcissus
is because the pool loved to look at itself in his eyes.
Points Possible: 1
Content Strand: Craft and Structure
Content Standard: Analyze how differences in the points of view of
the characters and the audience or reader (e.g., created through
the use of dramatic irony) create such effects as suspense or humor.
39
Sample Response: 1 point
41
Grade 8
English Language Arts
Spring 2016 Item Release
Question 7
Question and Scoring Guidelines
42
Question 7
25039
Points Possible: 1
Content Strand: Key Ideas and Details
Content Standard: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and
analyze its development over the course of the text, including its
relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective
summary of the text.
43
Scoring Guidelines
Part A
Rationale for Option A: This is incorrect. The pool spends much time with
Narcissus, but the passage does not emphasize the pool taking him for
granted. This is not the central idea of the passage.
Rationale for Option B: Key – The pool does not notice that Narcissus is
beautiful, since the pool only looks at its own reflection in Narcissus’s eyes.
Rationale for Option C: This is incorrect. The pool experiences a major change
in the loss of Narcissus, but the pool does not seem especially open to
developing relationships with the Oreads. This is not the central idea of the
passage.
Rationale for Option D: This is incorrect. The intention of the Oreads is to
comfort the pool after the loss of Narcissus, but the pool does not receive
much comfort. Although plausible, this is not the central idea of the passage.
Part B
Rationale for Option A: This is incorrect. This shows the change that happens to
the pool after the death of Narcissus, but it does not emphasize the pool’s lack
of awareness of Narcissus.
Rationale for Option B: This is incorrect. The attempt to console the pool does
not emphasize the pool’s lack of awareness of Narcissus.
Rationale for Option C: This is incorrect. This shows the sympathy the Oreads
have for the pool, but it does not demonstrate the pool’s lack of awareness of
Narcissus.
Rationale for Option D: Key – This shows that the pool had not noticed the
beauty of Narcissus, who spent a great deal of time on the pool’s banks.
45
Grade 8
English Language Arts
Spring 2016 Item Release
Question 7
Sample Responses
46
Sample Response: 1 point
Notes on Scoring
This response earns full credit (1 point) because the selections
correctly identify the central idea of the text in Part A and the
best support for the answer from Part A in Part B.
47
Sample Response: 0 points
Notes on Scoring
This response earns no credit (0 points). The selection in Part A
correctly identifies the central idea of “The Disciple”, but the
selection in Part B fails to identify the best support for the
answer in Part A. In order to receive full credit for this item,
both Part A and Part B must be correct.
48
Sample Response: 0 points
Notes on Scoring
This response earns no credit (0 points). The selection in Part A
incorrectly identifies the central idea of “The Disciple”, yet the
selection in Part B identifies the best support for the correct
answer in Part A. In order to earn full credit for this item, both
Part A and Part B must be correct.
49
Grade 8
English Language Arts
Spring 2016 Item Release
Stimulus for Questions 8 – 13
50
Stimulus for Questions 8 – 13
51
672
53
Grade 8
English Language Arts
Spring 2016 Item Release
Question 8
Question and Scoring Guidelines
54
Question 8
25090
Scoring Guidelines
Rationale for Option A: Key – Listing some of the specific things that biofuels
are made of shows how biofuel production can help with waste
management. Things that would otherwise be thrown away are turned into
fuel.
Rationale for Option B: This is incorrect. Although the author of Passage 1
mentioned some of these companies, this does not specifically address the
way that waste products are recycled.
Rationale for Option C: This is incorrect. A student might select this option since
the author does describe the machine that produces biofuels using TDP
technology; however, explaining how the machines produce biofuels does
not explain how the problem of waste management is solved.
Rationale for Option D: This is incorrect. Although the author mentions toxic
chemicals, these are related to fossil fuel emissions, not waste products.
Points Possible: 1
Content Strand: Key Ideas and Details
Content Standard: Analyze how a text makes connections among
and distinctions between individuals, ideas, or events (e.g., through
comparisons, analogies, or categories).
55
Sample Response: 1 point
57
Grade 8
English Language Arts
Spring 2016 Item Release
Question 9
Question and Scoring Guidelines
58
Question 9
25087
Scoring Guidelines
For this item, a full-credit response includes:
Selection of C) having to do with heat or temperature;
AND
Selection of “It applies heat and pressure,” (1 point).
Points Possible: 1
Content Strand: Craft and Structure
Content Standard: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as
they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and
technical meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on
meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
59
Grade 8
English Language Arts
Spring 2016 Item Release
Question 9
Sample Responses
60
Sample Response: 1 point
Notes on Scoring
This response earns full credit (1 point) because the selection
in Part A correctly identifies the meaning of the word
“thermal”, and the selection in Part B highlights the best
support for the answer in Part A.
61
Sample Response: 0 points
Notes on Scoring
This response earns no credit (0 points). The selection in Part A
correctly identifies the meaning of the word “thermal”, but
the selection in Part B does not provide the best support for
the answer in Part A. In order to receive full credit for this item,
both Part A and Part B must be correct.
62
Sample Response: 0 points
Notes on Scoring
This response earns no credit (0 points). The selection in Part A
does not correctly identify the meaning of the word
“thermal”, yet the selection in Part B identifies the best
support for the correct answer in Part A. In order to receive
full credit for this item, both Part A and Part B must be correct.
63
Grade 8
English Language Arts
Spring 2016 Item Release
Question 10
Question and Scoring Guidelines
64
Question 10
25088
Scoring Guidelines
Rationale for Option A: Key – The author gives examples that justify the
complaint that biofuels are costly. Essentially, the end justifies the means.
Rationale for Option B: This is incorrect. A student may select this because
there is no support for the other point of view; however, the author doesn't
point this out.
Rationale for Option C: This is incorrect. A student may select this because the
author only talks about biofuels as an alternative source of energy; however,
this doesn't mean that there are not other options available. The author just
doesn't mention them.
Rationale for Option D: This is incorrect. A student may select this because the
passage mostly focuses on the positive aspects of biofuels; however, the
author does acknowledge the costs of biofuel production, so it is not a one-
sided argument.
Points Possible: 1
Content Strand: Craft and Structure
Content Standard: Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in
a text and analyze how the author acknowledges and responds to
conflicting evidence or viewpoints.
65
Sample Response: 1 point
67
Grade 8
English Language Arts
Spring 2016 Item Release
Question 11
Question and Scoring Guidelines
68
Question 11
25086
Scoring Guidelines
Rationale for Option A: This is incorrect. The author starts with this list, but this list
in itself does not imply that alternative fuel production is negative.
Rationale for Option B: This is incorrect. A student may select this because
individual concerns may affect a reader's conclusion; however, this is not the
focus of the author.
Rationale for Option C: This is incorrect. A student may select this because the
government support is mentioned, but there is nothing to suggest it is politically
motivated or that it is being used to make conclusions about corn ethanol.
Rationale for Option D: Key – The author provides data to strengthen the
argument.
Points Possible: 1
Content Strand: Craft and Structure
Content Standard: Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in
a text and analyze how the author acknowledges and responds to
conflicting evidence or viewpoints.
69
Sample Response: 1 point
71
Grade 8
English Language Arts
Spring 2016 Item Release
Question 12
Question and Scoring Guidelines
72
Question 12
25089
Scoring Guidelines
For this item, a full-credit response includes:
Selection of “In spite of over 1,000 uses we have for corn and corn
byproducts, about 20 percent of corn grown in the United States is now
used to produce ethanol, up from 6.5 percent in 2000. . . .” (1 point).
Points Possible: 1
Content Strand: Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
Content Standard: Delineate and evaluate the argument and
specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound
and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; recognize when
irrelevant evidence is introduced.
73
Grade 8
English Language Arts
Spring 2016 Item Release
Question 12
Sample Responses
74
Sample Response: 1 point
Notes on Scoring
This response earns full credit (1 point) because it accurately
identifies the support needed to uphold the author’s claim
that corn ethanol production takes the focus away from
important food production.
75
Sample Response: 0 points
Notes on Scoring
This response earns no credit (0 points) because it does not
accurately identify the support needed to uphold the
author’s claim that corn ethanol production takes the focus
away from important food production.
76
Sample Response: 0 points
Notes on Scoring
This response earns no credit (0 points) because it does not
accurately identify the support needed to uphold the
author’s claim that corn ethanol production takes the focus
away from important food production.
77
Grade 8
English Language Arts
Spring 2016 Item Release
Question 13
Question and Scoring Guidelines
78
Question 13
25084
Scoring Guidelines
Rationale for Option A: This is incorrect. A student may select this because the
beginning of the passage mentions the U.S. funding and that corn ethanol is
receiving the most funding from the government. A false assumption would be
that it was too expensive to fund; however, this is not the author's objection to
corn ethanol.
Rationale for Option B: Key – The author cites the amount of fertilizer and fossil
fuel needed to produce corn ethanol with the implication that the increased
emissions for production would negate the benefits of reduced emissions from
using corn ethanol as a fuel.
Rationale for Option C: This is incorrect. The author states that there are more
uses for corn, but does not consider corn purely as a food source. In addition,
government funding might encourage farmers to choose to grow corn, but
this is not implied or stated by the author.
Rationale for Option D: This is incorrect. A student may select this because the
passage discusses the difficulty with growing corn. It could be implied that this
would make it a problem to guarantee a supply; however, the author does
not use this as part of the argument against corn ethanol.
Points Possible: 1
Content Strand: Key Ideas and Details
Content Standard: Cite the textual evidence that most strongly
supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as
inferences drawn from the text.
79
Sample Response: 1 point
The Ohio Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services.
Copyright © 2016 by the Ohio Department of Education. All rights reserved.